Lupesoliai keeping fit in Samoa over Christmas

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Lupesoliai Joseph Parker is not letting the Christmas season in Samoa have an impact on his training regime.

The former WBO heavyweight world champion boxer is on the island for a week, spending quality time catching up with family and friends.

Lupesoliai is attending informal ‘ava sessions daily to meet up with friends old and new.

“I started coming to them over two years ago, and every trip now I make time at 12pm everyday to come see everyone.

“Everytime I come back, I love not only catching up with people but embracing the traditions and even learning new aspects.”

He said between the time he spends here, in New Zealand, and in camp in Las Vegas he has three different homes.

“I feel like I’m an American even at times, living there a lot for training.

“It’s great to embrace everything that comes into your life, the places you visit and where you come from.”

While in the past he has let himself go a little between preparing for fights, Lupesoliai said he is training daily to remain in what he called before the recent Alexander Flores fight the best shape of his life.

He said he’s programmed himself not to indulge over Christmas.

“This is the best I’ve kept in shape between camps.”

Lupesoliai said that attitude is crucial to be on the front foot going into the next one.

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All going to plan, that next camp will be in preparation for a fight in late March or April.

With most of the top heavyweights currently based in the United Kingdom, Lupesoliai said that’s where the team would like to fight next, depending on the opponent.

“But there’s options in New Zealand and America as well.”

Lupesoliai said he and his management have a list of guys they want to fight, so it’s a matter of going through that and seeing who’s available.

But for now, all he can do is keep in shape and let the promoters do their job and put something together.

Lupesoliai said that way he can be more ready for any eventuality.

“You never know the opportunity that comes, the Dillian Whyte fight that we took came out of nowhere.”

Lupesoliai lost to Whyte in July, his second defeat of the year after being unbeaten in the previous 24.

He said he’d be keen on a rematch, and watched the British fighter’s win over countryman Dereck Chisora last weekend with great interest.

“Whyte was good, it just shows his development as a fighter.

“I know I can beat him, so I want another chance.”

But Whyte wants to fight world champion and fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.

“If I was in his position I’d be the same, climbing the ladder,” Lupesoliai said.

Joshua is angling for a unification bout with WBC champion American Deontay Wilder, who appears to want a lucrative rematch with Tyson Fury of Great Britain, completing a complex game of musical chairs at the top of the division.

Where that leaves Lupesoliai Joseph Parker remains to be seen, but he insists he’ll be ready whoever the opponent.